February 3, 2010 / Front Page

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Learn risk factors, modify behavior to combat disease

Someone dies from heart disease every minute!
Heart disease is the the leading cause of death in Southwest Georgia, the state and the country. And many Southwest Georgia residents on the fast track to heart disease don’t know their risk factors or how to modify them. More...

Obama slashes agriculture budget

The Georgia Peanut Commission is encouraging Congress to reject the Presidents FY 2011 budget proposal which includes deep agricultural cuts. More...

Burglary suspects arrested

Local authorities solved several recent burglaries Friday with the arrests of four suspects who are now facing burglary charges. The arrests were in connection with break-ins Jan. 29 at Napa Auto Care, Jan. 6 and Jan. More...

ECHS Band PB drive

The Early County High Band of Blue is asking the community to donate jars of peanut butter to regional distributed to regional food banks. See page 9 for details. More...

Unsung Hero banquet set for Feb. 27

In observance of Black History Month, the Freedom Council’s 6th annual Unsung Hero banquet will be held Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Howell Ave. Civic Center. More...

Other News

Agents arrest three in Damascus

An undercover drug investigation led to the arrest of three suspects in Damascus Jan. 25 by agents from Pataula Drug Task Force and the Damascus police chief. More...

Georgia’s natural beauty to be highlighted on ‘Georgia Outdoors’

Ever wondered why alligators and wading birds make great neighbors? Find out answers to this and more on a new season of Georgia Outdoors, premiering tonight,Wednesday, Feb. 3 with two new episodes. More...

Three Notch employee honored

Mrs. W.A. Lacey of Cedar Springs paid Three Notch EMC a visit last week to personally thank a Three Notch employee for saving her life. Cliff Godwin was reading his route in the Cedar Springs area the morning of Feb. 3, 2009. More...

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Religion

Sunday School Lesson

God offers grace through Jesus
Rev. James Temples

The earthly ministry of Jesus Christ of Nazareth crossed many of the man-made barriers. Many religious barriers had been erected by the religious leaders. Cultural barriers were high. More...

The Gospel Truth

Christians produce Christians
Dr. Charles DeVane Jr. First Baptist Church

Jesus’ last words are important. This great commission is also imperative. “Go,” “make disciples,” “baptizing,” and “teaching” are all in the imperative tense. More...

CHURCH NEWS

Jerusalem A.M.E. Jerusalem African Methodist Episcopal Church will celebrate their 116th church anniversary, “Bringing the past with the future while living in the present,” Feb. 14 at noon. Guest speaker is Alvetta Butler. More...

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Society

Carr-Ross wedding vows exchanged

Jennifer Nicole Carr and Jeffrey Adam Ross were united in marriage Dec. 19, 2009, at 5 p.m. at Friendship United Methodist Church in Donalsonville. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Charles Dennis and Rev. Kirk Loyless. More...

Thompkins-Houston to wed

Mr. and Mrs. David Thompkins of Buena Vista, Ga., are pleased to announce the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Tabatha Ashley Thompkins, to Jason Christopher Houston, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Houston of Blakely. More...

Celebrate your love on a budget

Valentine’s Day is all about big-ticket purchases and spending a fortune to show you care, right? Not necessarily. While the holiday is known for gift-giving, those tokens of appreciation needn’t break the bank. More...

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Campus

Levatte gains leadership skills at FCCLA training

Terri Levatte, a student at Early County High School, recently returned from the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America’s Ultimate State Officer Academy Training in Washington, D.C. More...

PROBE tour coming to Bainbridge College Feb. 4

Bainbridge College will host representatives of 19 four-year colleges and universities in the Student Center on the main campus from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 4 for the annual PROBE Transfer College Tour. More...

Area students complete nursing program

The following students from the Blakely area graduated this fall from the Darton College Nursing Program with associate of science degrees: Allison Nichols, Mallory Pickle, Haley Pritchett, Gina Swanner, Erika Pickren Tomms, and Stephanie Williamson More...

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$609,000 unfunded mandate

The state has not provided monies for Forestland Protection Act reimbursement.

The News learned Monday from a legislative update from the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia that the state has not provided the monies for Forestland Protection Act reimbursement to local governments and school boards. More...

Early Memorial Health Talk to focus on heart healthy habits

Early Memorial Hospital’s quarterly Health Talk Feb. 17 will focus on heart healthy habits, management and treatment of heart disease. The lecture will be led by Dr. Garrett Bennett of the Blakely Medical Group. More...

Heart Healthy Breakfast in Arlington

The Calhoun County Hospital Authority is hosting a “Heart Healthy Community Breakfast” Feb. 16 at 8 a.m. in the Calhoun Memorial Hospital dining room in Arlington. Call Susannah Cowart at 725-2168 for additional information. More...

Effort underway to secure future for our hospital

Despite the widespread financial stress of hospitals, caused in large part by reduced medicaid and medicare reimbursments, hospital authority chairman Grist stated there have been several calls from companies leasing hospitals across the Southeast. More...

Old Timers softball game Feb. 6

An “Old Timers” softball game between former Early County baseball players is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. at the Ray Knight Sports Complex. The game will follow the Bobcat Hit-A-Thon at 12 p.m. More...

Rec ball registration underway

The Blakely-Early County Recreation Department is accepting registration for spring tee ball, softball and baseball for boys ages 4 to 14 and girls ages 4 to 17. Registration fee is $30. More...

Community Calendar

HERE & THERE this WEEK

WEDNESDAY, Feb 3 FAMILY Connection Collaborative, noon, Family Learning Resource Center BIRTHDAYS: Ric Hall THURSDAY, Feb 4 ALCOHOLICS Anonymous, 7:30 p.m., Holy Family Catholic Church ROTARY CLUB, noon, Blakely Town & Country Club BIR More...

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Editorials

Political Cartoon

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Mumbles

Short end of the stick
Billy Fleming

I guess Obama is hoping the American people are over the “sticker shock” that is coming with his administration. How else could he have the audacity to propose the $3.8 trillion budget this week that includes a $1.56 trillion deficit. More...

What’s happened to common sense?

Other Voices
Mitch Clarke

With all due apologies to anyone this column may resemble, we’ve become a nation of idiots. I don’t think I’m being too harsh. More...

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Obituaries

Annie Harris

Retired

Annie Ruth Harris, 80, of Blakely, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at her residence. Mrs. Harris was born Jan. 25, 1929, in Blakely to the late John D. Williams and Trudy Williams. More...

Jack Fiveash

Retired

We regret to announce the passing of Mr. Jack Benford Fiveash, age 82, of Donalsonville, Ga., who passed away M o n d ay, Jan. 11, 2010, at Southeast Alabama Medical Center. Center. More...

Gladys Brown

Homemaker

Gladys E. Brown, 84, of Blakely, died Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, in Clinton, Md. Mrs. Brown was born July 17, 1925, to the late Eugene and Hattie McIntosh. She was a member of the Bethlehem African Methodist Episcopal Church. More...

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Sports

SGA junior varsity wins 3-AA region tournament

The SGA middle school team traveled to Windsor Academy in Maconto take part in the 3AA region tournament. The Warriors opened up against the Valwood Valiants for Valdosta. SGA came out on fire outscoring the Valiants 20-1 in the first quarter. More...

Sealy is state champ

Charley Sealy experienced a huge victory in Birmingham, Ala., at the Alabama State Compulsory Championship. Charley became Alabama’s Level 4 allaround state champion. She placed first on floor and beam, and second on bars and vault. More...

Bobcats sweep weekend games

The Early County Bobcats swept two games over the weekend with wins over Brooks County and Cook County. Three players were in double figures as the Bobcats defeated Brooks 62-44 Friday, led by Antwan Thornton with 13 points. More...

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